The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg has temporarily stopped the publication of certain claims made by model and TV personality Blue Mbombo against businessman Thami Ndlala.
The interim order was issued on 3 October after Ndlala brought an urgent application to the court, IOL reported. The matter will return to court in November.
The court issued a rule nisi. This calls on Mbombo to show the court on 9 November why the orders should not be made final.
Until that date, or until the court rules otherwise, the order stops anyone from publishing or sharing certain claims by Mbombo against Ndlala as established facts.
According to the order, the claims include that Ndlala made repeated death threats against Mbombo and verbally or emotionally abused her. They also include claims that he hired people to scare her and threatened her life and the life of her minor child.
The court told Mbombo to remove the statements from her social media accounts, including Instagram and TikTok. She must also remove them from other social media or entertainment platforms linked to her. She has 24 hours to do this after being served with the order.
Mbombo’s public claims also led to police involvement. A case was opened at the Midrand Police Station.
The Thami Ndlala Foundation has since called for an independent investigation into the police officials who handled the case. The foundation said it was worried that proper police and investigation steps were not followed before action was taken against Ndlala.
The foundation also asked whether personal relationships or outside influence played a part. It said it had information suggesting that people connected to Mbombo may have had access to, or influence over, police officials on the case.
It said it was not accusing any police official of criminal misconduct. It wants an independent probe to find out if there was improper influence, special treatment or a conflict of interest.
“The Foundation’s position remains simple: investigate properly, follow the law, test the evidence,” the foundation said.
The foundation criticised what it called an “arrest first, investigate later” approach. It said serious claims should be properly investigated before police take forceful action.
It said police resources should stay focused on cases where victims need protection from violence and abuse, given South Africa’s ongoing gender-based violence crisis. It also warned that claims shared on social media before they are tested can harm a person’s name, income and family.
The order is temporary and is not a final ruling on the claims against Ndlala. The costs of the urgent hearing will be decided when the matter returns to the Gauteng High Court on 9 November.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Entertainment. Image: IOL Entertainment. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Entertainment desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Rirhandzu Baloyi writes about entertainment for Tzaneen Voice. Rirhandzu covers South African music, film, TV, streaming, awards and celebrity news, from amapiano and local soapies to Showmax and Netflix releases. Stories stick to what happened, who was involved and when fans can watch or listen.